Leeds United v Middlesbrough controversy: Sky Sports studio all in agreement
Tommy Smith believes Middlesbrough should have been awarded a penalty in their 3-1 loss to Leeds United at Elland Road on Tuesday.
The Whites went back to the top of the Championship table after earning a victory over Boro on 10 December, but Smith feels Michael Carrick’s side were hard done by.
Reviewing a first-half incident involving Joe Rodon and Riley McGree minutes after Wilfried Gnonto opened the scoring, the pundit said that everyone in the Sky Sports studio, including ex-Leeds ace Michael Brown, thought the former fouled the latter in the box.
“I think our initial reaction in the studio was that it was a penalty”, Smith said on Sky Sports Main Event [10 December, 8:53 pm].
“Having slowed it down and seen it a couple of times, I think we’re all in agreement that it definitely was a pen.
“Listen, in real time live, the referee… it’s difficult to spot. Certainly, in the replay, it looks like a penalty.”
Brown chimed in by adding that the VAR would have intervened had the incident happened in the Premier League.
He said: “There is contact and these are big, big decisions. If we’re in the Premier League and we’re talking about VAR, would that certainly be looked at?”
Leeds United v Middlesbrough controversy: Sky Sports studio all in agreement
The visitors went on to nullify Gnonto’s goal early on in the second half, courtesy of an own goal from Max Wober following a corner.
However, any fear of dropping points at home was put to bed by Daniel James, who put Daniel Farke’s side back in front with a splendid finish in the 74th minute.
Brenden Aaronson then sealed the game for Leeds United, bundling in an effort from Ao Tanaka in the dying minutes.
The result saw the Elland Road outfit go two points clear at the top of the Championship table, although second-placed Sheffield United have a game in hand.
Middlesbrough, meanwhile, have fallen 10 points behind Farke and co, having won only one of their last four league games.
Boro were certainly not a side for the West Yorkshire-based club to take lightly as they succumbed to a 3-0 defeat to them at home in the EFL Cup on 14 August earlier in the season.
In other Leeds United news, the exit condition for this Whites star has been named ahead of the January transfer window.
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